December 26, 2017, "Bad to Good to Better"

Email to Family and Friends

          Well this week was fantastic! I have been making a really concentrated effort to have the Savior always on my mind. My mission has a bit left but I will NOT waste any second of it. I have been called of God Almighty by the power of the priesthood and the gift of the Holy Ghost to be a witness to the world of the Living Christ and of the Restoration of His Gospel. My authority is greater than the kings of the earth and I will use it as such.

          We have had do so much traveling this last week due to Transfers, 8 hours on Wednesday, 6 hours on Thursday and 2 hours on Friday. 

          Christmas was great! As we went into the home of our dear friends, the Spirit just flooded the homes of these families. The message of Jesus Christ carries with it such a powerful Spirit. One that cannot not be denied once felt. I love these families! I hope and pray everyday that God will pour up out his blessing upon them more abundantly through their obedience to the laws opens ordinances of His Gospel.

            I love you all, and I hope each of you had a Merry Christmas!!

"Bad to Good to Better"

          Elder David A Bednar said "If I were emphasize one overarching point this morning, it would be this: I suspect that you and I are much more familiar with the nature of the redeeming power of the Atonement than we are with the enabling power of the Atonement. It is one thing to know that Jesus Christ came to earth to die for us. That is fundamental and foundational to the doctrine of Christ. But we also need to appreciate that the Lord desires, through His Atonement and by the power of the Holy Ghost, to live in us--not only to direct us but also to empower us. I think most of us know that when we do things wrong, when we need help to overcome the effects of sin in our lives, the Savior has paid the price and made it possible for us to be made clean through His redeeming power. Most of us clearly understand that the Atonement is for sinners. I am not so sure, however, that we know and understand that the Atonement is also for saints--for good men and women who are obedient and worthy and conscientious and who are striving to become better and serve more faithfully. I frankly do not think many of us "get it" concerning this enabling and strengthening aspect of the Atonement, and I wonder if we mistakenly believe we must make the journey from good to better and become a saint all by ourselves through sheer grit, willpower, and discipline, and with our obviously limited capacities."

           "Brothers and Sisters, the gospel of the Savior  is not simply about avoiding bad in our lives; it also is especially about doing and becoming good. And the Atonement provides help for us to overcome and avoid bad and to do and become good. There is help from the Savior for the entire journey of life--from bad to good to better and to change our very nature." (1)

Elder Philip R. Bredsguard

Mission Home- 1848 Rimrock Rd Billings, MT 59102

Current Address- 3095 Airport Rd Kalispell, MT 59901

Notes

1. "In the Strength of the Lord" by Elder David A. Bednar

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December 18, 2017, "Glory to God"

Email to Family and Friends

          This week I got a bit of a sinus infection, and thanks to Brother Raish he gave me lots of Vitamin C so I have just been pounding it all week. We have had a great week! We have been out working hard, we found 4 new investigators this week. 

           We had Meghan Shields baptism! She was so ready and excited for her baptism! At her Service Elder Madsen sang Joseph Smiths first Prayer with a beautiful accompaniment with it! It was a great day.

           The YSA had their Christmas Party, and there was a White Elephant! It was so fun! It's a great time of year, lots of snow shoveling and Hot Coco (you better believe I have some everyday ;) 

            I am really coming to love simplicity and plainness. It frees your mind.

"Glory to God"

          In the Spirit of Christmas (as this is my last email before the holiday). Each Christmas season I love to read the account of Christ birth found in St Luke chapter 2. My favorite is when an angel appeared unto the shepherds abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night, saying "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."

           "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." (1)

            I testify that our Father sent his Only Begotton Son into this dark world to be a light for all of us. May he be your guide through these last days of trouble and a tumult of opinions. I love you dear family and friends, I am your humble servant and your never deviating friend.

Elder Philip R. Bredsguard

Mission Home- 1848 Rimrock Rd Billings, MT 59102

Current Address- 3095 Airport Rd Kalispell, MT 59901

Notes

1. Luke 2:10-14

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December 11, 2017, "Rod of Iron"

Email to Family and Friends

          We had Zone Conference this week, and the discussions that were given were so inspiring! Our Mission President talked about how we can really change through our Faith in Christ. Not a temporary change, but one that will make a permanent change in our lives and how that can ONLY happen through Christ. We can change our behavior for a bit, but over time and through trials it will Root back up. He related it to weeding.

           We also had a talent show at Zone Conference! Haha Elder Madsen had a great idea! A video will be included! We did a "Hallelujah" Choir, but we didn't sing! We used boards for our words haha. You just have to watch it...

           We had a really spiritual week, we were on an exchange with some other Elders. And I don't want to go in to to much detail, but there were many tears and many prayers! 

           We are having a baptism this week! Whoo hoo!

"Rod of Iron"

          This last week I have just finished the Book of Mormon, I want all who can read this to know, that I am a witness of the truth of the Book of Mormon! Any who read it with a sincer heart will find more peace and happiness from this book than any other! How do I know that, because I've done it!! I've seen it! I am a witness!! 

           It has a special way to give us power over temptation and to help our families grow closer together!

Notes

1. “My Peace I Leave with You” By President Henry B. Eyring, April 2017

Elder Philip R. Bredsguard

Mission Home- 1848 Rimrock Rd Billings, MT 59102

Current Address- 3095 Airport Rd Kalispell, MT 59901

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This video above is seriously funny!  A Hallelujah Choir.

December 4, 2017, "Peace in This Life?"

Email to Family and Friends

          This week was great!! I'll start off with an embarrassing story haha. So last night we went over to give a Sister in the ward a blessing. We got there and her son (who is married) requested one as well. I never met either of them before. Elder Madsen gave her a blessing and I to him. As I started the blessing, I thought it was the Spirit, tell me that although he didn't serve a mission he will still have much opportunities to serve. I was like there is no way I am saying that! What if it's not true! Maybe he did go on a mission? This happened about 3 times, so decided it was the Spirit so I said it, and finished the blessing. I found out very quickly that he in fact DID serve a full 2 year mission . Haha so yeah........ I'm getting better at redeeming my thoughts and the Spirits words haha. You live and you learn!

            We went on two exchanges this week with the District Leaders, they were truly inspiring! I left truly edified from both of them. We have some amazing missionaries here!

            I have absolutely love participating in #LightTheWorld everyday! We are so blessed with a God who loves ALL of his children!

"Peace in This Life?"

          President Henry B. Eyring once said, "I have been thankful for the many ways the Lord has visited me with the Comforter when I needed peace. Yet our Father in Heaven is concerned not just about our comfort but even more about our upward progress." (1)

           Often as missionaries we teach that in this gospel we can find peace in this life and eternal life in the world to come. But I have never thought which one is a higher priority to God? 

            As we come unto Christ he want us to find peace in this life! But some times as we go through difficult trials, we need to learn and grow from them through experience. That is a necessary part of receiving eternal life! Heavenly Father cares more about us returning back to him. Don't get me wrong God wants to comfort us time and time again and he often does. I know my words are weak but I hope the Spirit may vary across the things I am trying to convey.

            I love you all! Thank you for everything you do for me! In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Notes

1. “My Peace I Leave with You” By President Henry B. Eyring, April 2017

Elder Philip R. Bredsguard

Mission Home- 1848 Rimrock Rd Billings, MT 59102

Current Address- 3095 Airport Rd Kalispell, MT 59901

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November 27, 2017, "My Testimony"

Email to Family and Friends

          Haha, I am going to go ahead and start off with an apology to all. I am so sorry my emails are so lame. Haha all week the Spirit was telling to repent for not telling everyone how my weeks have been going. Don't worry I haven't been lying, I am very happy and working hard. I just could tell some stories :)

          This week we went on exchanges with the Assistants down in Billings. Haha Billings is 7 hours away from our house! 8 hours or more in bad weather (which it was!). Haha that is like driving from home to Jakes or Nana and Papas house just to go on an exchange!! That's crazy!! But it was a fantastic exchange and we got to go to the Temple! We drove through Butte! It was so cool to drive through it again!

          Thanksgiving was great! We were very well fed! We ate at 9 places haha from noon to 9 one place every hour :). 

          Haha every night when I get home after I write in my journal, I am just so worn out, I think I fall asleep within 3-5 mins after getting in bed. It's a great life though.

         There is a couple we have been trying over and over again to go and visit since I have been here. There situation is exactly like Jes and JRs! Not 100% but I would say 95%. So we went by last night just to try them and when we got there they both had tears in their eyes, we arrived just minutes after some sort of argument of sorts. He is not a member, she is. As we talk of family and forgiveness, the Spirit flooded the home. It was amazing to see how the Spirit works. :) (And we are going to have Sushi with them on Thursday for dinner!)

"My Testimony"

          Family and Friends, I know that my Savior lives. I know that our Father in Heaven cares so much about each of us. I know Jesus Christ came and died for each of us and rose again that we too might live again. This is my testimony, and I say it in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Elder Philip R. Bredsguard

Mission Home- 1848 Rimrock Rd Billings, MT 59102

Current Address- 3095 Airport Rd Kalispell, MT 59901

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November 20, 2017, "A Vine and Her Fruit"

Email to Family and Friends

          So I forgot to say this last week but, it was Transfers. Elder Wadsworth got transferred to Missoula, and my new companion in Kalispell is Elder Madsen from Brigham City, Utah.

           We have been having some amazing lessons! Elder Madsen is an awesome teacher. A young woman we are teaching accepted the invitation to baptism yesterday! Whoohoo!

"A Vine and Her Fruit"

          Just this morning I was reading in 3 Nephi, I was reading where Christ is reciting Malachi 3 to the Nephites. Malachi is speaking to his people of tithing, and we are familiar with verse 10 when he says "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in my house; and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it." (1)

          But one thing stuck out to me more than the rest as I read. In the following verse he continues "neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the fields, saith the Lord of Hosts." (2)

           I feel this is a very special promise from the Lord, that as we will pay our tithing, we will not miss opportunities that may give each of us the chance to better support our families. It is a literal financial blessing, that I have never thought of before I read this today.

          Our Father is so merciful and loves each of us, he wants to bless us! In the name of Jesus Christ amen.

Notes

1. 3 Nephi 24:10 or Malachi 3:10
2. 3 Nephi 24:11 or Malachi 3:11

Elder Philip R. Bredsguard

Mission Home- 1848 Rimrock Rd Billings, MT 59102

Current Address- 3095 Airport Rd Kalispell, MT 59901

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November 13, 2017, "Sacrifice"

Email to Family and Friends

          Haha I never know what to say in these anymore. There is one experience I can share from this week. Friday night, we KNEW that God had prepared someone in this specific neighborhood. We were tracting. And we started knocking and knocking, door after door, there was only disappointment. It was cold, I was hungry, but we knew someone needed us after a few hours, we knocked on just another door. And this gentleman that saw us pleaded with us to come in, we was a member who has got lost for a brief while. His wife is not a member and they have a year and a half year old, and they have another one on the way. And they just moved in a week prior, and he was praying for the missionaries to come by. We were just full of love for them! 

"Sacrifice"

This is a letter from our Mission Presidents wife to us missionaries.

          "In the Book of Mormon when Aaron was teaching King Lamoni’s father he asked Aaron what he needed to do to have eternal life and when Aaron taught him King Lamoni’s father said, “…I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy.” (Alma 22:15) King Lamoni’s father had desire. 

            "What do each of you desire?  What are we willing to give up?  “Righteous desires need to be relentless.”  Elder Maxwell said, “because, said Brigham Young, ‘the men and women, who desire to obtain seats in the celestial kingdom, will find that they must battle every day.’ (in Journal of Discourses, 11:14)  Therefore, true Christian soldier are more than weekend warriors” Remember that we all put effort in to what we truly desire.   May we desire to be His ROYAL ARMY!"

          

Elder Philip R. Bredsguard

Mission Home- 1848 Rimrock Rd Billings, MT 59102

Current Address- 3095 Airport Rd Kalispell, MT 59901

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November 6, 2017, "Wolves"

Email to Family and Friends

          Well the work has never been as good as it is now! We are seeing success left and right. God has been blessing us so much! We see literal miracles everyday! All of the members here are out teaching their friends and the work is just exploding up here in Kalispell! We had 5 investigators at church yesterday which was probably the most they have had here in the last 4-5 months at least. 

           Haha we got 14 inches of snow this week, my new profile picture right now is our backyard haha that is like15 yards from my window :) Absolutely beautiful!

"Wolves"

          One of my favorite stories of the Native people, is a story of a grandson talking to his grandpa. The child says to his wise grandfather, "Papa, I feel like there is two wolfs fighting inside of me, one is white the other is black, what is this?", "My son, one is good and the other is evil", "Papa, who will win?" said the child. "Which ever one you feed more"

           In the Book of Alma, Mormon is wrapping up telling us a story of war and he says, "And in one year were thousands and tens of thousands of souls sent to the eternal world, that they might reap their rewards according to their works, whether they were good or whether they were bad, to reap eternal happiness or eternal misery, according to the spirit which they listed to obey, whether it be a good spirit or a bad one. For every man receiveth wages of him whom he listeth to obey, and this according to the words of the spirit of prophecy; therefore let it be according to the truth." (1)

            This is the battle of life, it will never end so long as we are in this mortal body. Jehovah once said "And we will prove them [us here, right now] herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them;" Then he gave this great promise "and they who keep their second estate [or in other words, feed the light wolf] shall have glory added upon their heads for ever and ever." (2)

             We are made to win this war, we have the strength of the Almighty God though the power and glory of His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ. All he asks is that we trust in him, rely on him, and follow him. As we do so the light with in us will grow brighter and brighter tell the darkness has no place within our soul. I pray that each of us can do this, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Notes

1. Alma 3:26-27

Elder Philip R. Bredsguard

Mission Home- 1848 Rimrock Rd Billings, MT 59102

Current Address- 3095 Airport Rd Kalispell, MT

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October 30, 2017, "Are We Not All Beggars?"

Email to Family and Friends

          Haha sorry this part of my emails are always so lame haha. But I promise our week was awesome!! We found another 8 new investigators this week! We went on exchanges and I just love the missionaries in our Zone. Kalispell is fantastic! The people up here are just so prepared to hear about the restored gospel!

           I'm healthy and safe, working hard and happy, haha that's me.

"Are We Not All Beggars?"

          This week as I was reading the passages from King Benjamin, I would like to reiterate his words. "And also, ye yourselves will succor those that stand in need of your succor; ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need; and ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain, and turn him out to perish.

            "Perhaps thou shalt say: The man has brought upon himself his misery; therefore I will stay my hand, and will not give unto him of my food, nor impart unto him of my substance that he may not suffer, for his punishments are just--"

           "But I say unto you, O man, whosoever doeth this the same hath great cause to repent; and except he repenteth of that which he hath done he perisheth forever, and hath no interest in the kingdom of God."

           "For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have, for both food and raiment, and for gold, and for silver, and for all the riches which we have of every kind?"

           "And behold, even at this time, ye have been calling on his name, and begging for a remission of your sins. And has he suffered that ye have begged in vain? Nay; he has poured out his Spirit upon you, and has caused that your hearts should be filled with joy, and has caused that your mouths should be stopped that ye could not find utterance, so exceedingly great was your joy."

          "And now, if God, who has created you, on whom you are dependent for your lives and for all that ye have and are, doth grant unto you whatsoever ye ask that is right, in faith, believing that ye shall receive, O then, how ye ought to impart of the substance that ye have one to another." (1)

           The merciful will always obtain mercy. If you give to those in need, no matter their circumstance or what you may assume it may be, the Lord will be there right by your side ready to assist you and to forgive you of your needs.

            I of myself am weak, and I hope you take nothing away from what I have said, but that you may take and live in your life what the Spirit has taught you from my words. I know in my weakness, God will make my words mighty by the power of his Holy Spirit.

Notes

1. Mosiah 4:16-21

Elder Philip R. Bredsguard

Mission Home- 1848 Rimrock Rd Billings, MT 59102

Current Address- 3095 Airport Rd Kalispell, MT

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October 23, 2017, "Heavenly Father, are you really there?"

Email to Family and Friends

          We had another stellar week this week! We found 10 New Investigators and had members at every lesson with the exceptions of 1st lesson were they we found :) I love the area here, and the members here and the families that we are teaching are amazing! Elder Wadsworth is such an amazing missionary, I love being with him. His mama should be proud!

"Heavenly Father, are you really there?"

          In the days that Joseph Smith was contained in Liberty Jail, he cried "O God, where art thou?... How long shall thy hand be stayed" (1) 

          King Lamoni's Father "did bow down before the Lord, upon his knees; yea, even he did prostrate himself upon the earth, and cried mightily, saying: O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God; and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee." (2)

          Even the Savior, Gods perfect Son "cried.., saying,.. ​​​My​ God, my God, why hast thou ​​​forsaken​ me?" (3)

          At times in each of our lives, because of abandonment, sin, doubt or fear; we are lead to cry "Heavenly Father, are you really there?" (4)

          If you feel this way in any shape or form, I plead with you to ask. Prayer is the key, he will answer. Most of us know the Primary Hymn when it says "Pray, he is there; Speak, he is list’ning. You are his child; His love now surrounds you... Some say that heaven is far away, But I feel it close around me as I pray." (5) 

          I testify that God lives! That Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that he loves you with a perfect love! A love that can never be shaken, by hell, your sins, or the sins of others. Family's can be together forever through Heavenly Father's plan. This is the truth, whether you have anything to say against it or not, it is true, for God has spoken it. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Notes

1. Doctrine and Covenants 121:1-2
2. Alma 22:17-18
3. Matthew 27:46
4. "A Child's Prayer" Children's Songbook #12
5. "A Child's Prayer" Children's Songbook #12

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October 16, 2017, "Lazarus"

Email to Family and Friends

          We are having lots of good things happening! Our Zone is full of Fantastic missionaries! The members here like all the rest of my areas are absolutely fantastic!! We are having a lot of member involvement. We have been having to do a lot of traveling but I think driving wise it should be mostly peace full for the next 2 weeks. We are finding lots of great families to teach and etc.

"Lazarus"

I hope and pray that as you read this passage that you may see something in it for you, maybe you may see how much our Beloved Brother knows you and cares about your family in their trials, or how you can receive his help in your lives.

           "Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house. Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee."

           "Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day."

           "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world."

            "And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee. As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him. Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him. The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there."

             "Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept."

             "Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him! And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?"

              "Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days."

               "Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me."

              "And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go." (1)

This is much more than a story of Christ raising his friend from the dead. It is a story of how and why he does what he does for us. In the name of Jesus Christ amen.

Notes

1. See John 11

Elder Philip R. Bredsguard

Mission Home- 1848 Rimrock Rd Billings, MT 59102

Current Address- 3095 Airport Rd Kalispell, MT

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